Duskwood & Moonvale one-shots

Would you smile for me? (Jake x MC)

It's all over.
It's over.
All.
Literally.

You found the missing girl. You helped arrest the criminal. But of all the company, you kept in touch with Jessy, and sometimes with the Donforts - with Hannah and Lilly.

You found the missing girl, but now without a trace, as if scattered in the air, the guy disappeared. The one you unknowingly counted among the Donforts, too. Someone you've grown to love during the investigation. The one who almost made you doubt your own sanity by disappearing. He didn't just stop responding to messages: all the evidence, all your correspondence disappeared. If it weren't for a couple of screenshots of the cutest moments hidden on a flash drive, you'd actually start to doubt yourself.

Jake told you that there's only remain to be patient, a little that when this is over, the situation will change.

Well, at least he was honest. His absence from your life is also a change.

When you found out one morning that Jake had disappeared, you didn't bite your nails, run around the room, or climb the wall in desperation. You just sighed, put your phone away, and started getting ready for work. In your romantic fantasies, you could build a house where you and Jake lived soul to soul, raising a hamster named... But deep down, you knew it wasn't possible. Jake is a hacker. He's a wanted man. It is logical to assume that you will not see a happy family life.

Tears rolled out of your eyes, but you wiped them away, smiled, and told yourself over and over again that this was the way it should be, this was the right way.

To sigh, to gather strength, to smile again. You seemed to be able to pretend that everything was fine. In any case, no one I know has ever said that you have something wrong with your face, that you are sad or something like that.

So you've been faking it for almost six months, nervously biting your lip every time your coworkers gossip about a cute newbie from IT, and praying that you don't run into bugs.

Then it seemed easier.

You were a little late at work that day to finish an important document, and you left the office at dusk. The last thing you wanted to do was spend a Friday night in a lonely house, and you turned around and walked toward the park, where the duck pond was one of your favorite spots.

You leaned against the railing, watching the birds glide across the pond. It was dark, you couldn't see much, but you were completely lost in thought. On nights like this, the memories came back to life, and you relived the emotions you'd felt when you and Jake had first been able to talk about something other than the investigation, as he'd said he cared about your opinion of him...

"I'm used to seeing you always smile like you're about to cry, Mary" a voice behind you made you jump and turn around, clutching your work bag as if it could protect you from a stranger in the shadows. "But you look really happy right now."

He came out into the light, and you saw that the worst thing about the young brunette was the dark circles and bags under his eyes. But your hands were still gripping the bag.

"I have to admit, a genuine smile suits you better."

He reached out to touch you, as if he wanted to touch your face or your mop of hair. You recoiled - for a few moments the stranger stood with his hand outstretched, then put it in his pocket and looked away. The awkwardness of the silence grew.

"I'm sorry, do I know you?"

"No, not really. Not personally. We've been working together for six months, but it's like you're avoiding me."

"I didn't notice that." You shrugged. "What department are you from?"

"I am from IT."

"Ah... well, I didn't seem to have any problems. Not now, either, so... Did you want something specific?"

"To talk. I can't think of anything but you since, um, I saw you. You're quite fascinating."

You turned away, leaned back against the railing, trying to find the ducks.

"I was told that once."

"Let me guess. Then that the idiot disappeared without a word."

"He's not an idiot! Just... He thinks it's better this way."

"He's an idiot. Believe me, I know what I'm talking about."

You were standing very close to each other, your elbows almost touching. You couldn't find the strength to object or just say something. Tears gathered at the corners of your eyes again.

"I've made you sad again. Apologise."

"Again?"

"I wish you'd smile now," he paused for a few seconds. "Like when we first added a living legend to our list of suspects."

The bag thudded to the ground.

"It can't be..."

"Your idiot's back, Mary. Would you smile for me?"

"You're not an idiot, Jake," you buried your forehead in his shoulder, hiding a smile and tears at the same time. "I've been waiting for you."

"I was looking for you."

You felt his hands on your waist.

It's all over.
Jake's here.
He's home.